Electric phonograph



June 24, 1930. A. A. THOMAS I 1,765,707

ELECTRI C PHONOGRAPH Filed Feb. 1, 1927' 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 24-,1930. THOMAS I ELECTRIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Feb. 1, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR Patented June 24, 193a water AnoLPH A. THOMAS, on new YORK, n.Y.

ELECTRIC rnonoenarn Application filed February 1, 1927. SerialINo.165,052.

My invention relates to electric phonographs, and its object is toprovide a hoinless instrument of novel construction and improvedoperation. As will appear later, my

invention finds special utility in electric phonographs of the portabletype, producing a small instrument capable of great-volume and goodquality of tone.

One of the main features of my invention is a loudspeaking unitconsisting, in its preferred form, of two flat diaphragms adapted toaccentuate diiferent bands of frequencies, so as to encompasspractically the entire range of audible sound. These diaphragms are inthe form of tensioned sheets mounted in close parallel relation on aflat frame, which is so pivoted as to be raised into upright positionfor operation of the diaphragms. When the lid of the machine is to beclosedfthe diaphragm-supporting frame is lowered into horizontalposition, where it occupies a shallow space adjacent the lid. In apreferred embodiment of my invention, the frame that carries the twodiaphragms 5 is automatically raised and lowered by the opening andclosing of the lid.

In the construction of a portable electric phonograph according to myinvention, the carrying case is constructed of two shallow 3o box-likesections arrangedto provide two'- One compart- 4 compartmentsside-by-side. ment is for the phonographic mechanism (that is, thedriving motor, turntable and electric reproducer), and the othercompartment contains the double loudspeaker unit and all or some of theelectric parts (namely, batteries, transformers, vacuum tubes, etc.)that comprise the amplifying transmission system employed. Some of theseelectric parts may be mounted in the phonograph compartment, ifnecessary or preferred. The arrangement of the two compartmentssidebyside permits the use of a shallow case or box that is easilycarried about and put out of the way. The carrying case may be madepermanently fiat like'a mans suitcase, or the two compartments may be sohinged together I that onefolds over the other. In the lattermodification, the case when closedhas a cubi- .6-6 of Fig. 5;

cal shape, but when open it is flat like the suitcase construction.

In order to explain my invention so that those who are skilled in theart may understand and use the same, I shall describe in detail the twoembodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Fig. 1 showsa cross-sectional front view of a portable electric'phonographconstructed in accordance with my invention, the lid of the carryingcase being shown in closed position; i I

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of Fig. l, with the lid andloudspeaker unit in raised position;

Fig. 3 shows a front view of the'machine with the lid open as in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing a suitable mounting-for theelectric reproducer on the motorboard;

F 1g. 5 is a perspective view of the closed carrying case in which allthe parts of the machine are contained;

Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional front view of a modified construction 'ofportable electrio phonograph, in which the carrying case consists of twosections hinged together transversely;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view on line Fig. '8 illustrates across-section through the carrying case when closed;

Fig. 9 illustrates, in reduced perspective, the carrying case of Figs.57 in closed condition;

Fig. 10 shows in plan view .the doublediaphragm loudspeaking unitembodied in the machines of Figs. 1-8;:

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary detail to show a face view'of the magnetassociated with the driving units of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a diagram of an amplifying sys tem for operatively connectingthe electric reproducer with the driving units of the loud speakingmechanism.

Referring to the construction shown in Figs 1-4:, there is a carryingcase K which has the general shape and appearance of a sultcase. Theouter-structure of the case comprises a main section or body 10 and alid 12 hinged at 13 to the rear edge of the main section. The shallowbox-like section 10 is preferably provided with a' transverse partition14 to increase the rigidity of the case. In that event, the lid 12 mayhave a transverse strip 15 arranged to rest on the top of partition 14Whenthe lid is closed, as shown in Fig. 1. I

The transverse partition 14 divides the case into two compartments 16and 17 arranged side-by-s1de. The righ'tcompartme'nt 16 contains thephonographic mechanism of the machine, and I shall therefore call it thephonograph compartment. In this compartment is a motorboard 18 carryinga driving motor 19, a turntable 20, and an electric reproducer 21. Themotor 19 may be either electrical or mechanical. If the motor ismechanical, a winding crank 19f is adapted to be inserted into the rightend of the case for winding the motor springs. If the motor iselectrical, it may be operated b a battery in the carrying case, or byplugging into, an electric light socket. Since phonograph motors, bothelectrical and mechanical, are well known in the art and may be obtainedin the market, it will not be necessary to show or describe anystructural details of motor 19.

' The electric phonograph reproducer 21 is of any approved construction,either of the microphone or the electromagnetic type, and is so mountedas to move horizontally over a record. Since my invention is not limitedto any particular form of electric reproducer, and since variousconstructions of electric reproducers are well known in the art, I neednot encumber this description with the de tails of reproducer 21. It issuflicient to mention that the reproducer 21'is carried by an arm 22pivoted at 23 for vertical and horizontal movement in the playing of arecord.

v\Vhen. the reproducer is not inuse, the arm 22 is swung aside .andclamped in position 'by spring fingers 24 projecting upwardly from themotorboard, or by any other practical supporting means.

. The top space of the phonograph compartment 16 may be utilized tohouse a stack of records 25, which are secured tothe inside of lid 12 inany practical Way. In the drawings I have shown the records strung on apeg 26 to which they are secured bya wing-nut 27 and a clamping disk orwasher 28. In Fig. 1

I have shown three 12-inch and three 10- inch records supported by thelid. The records do not interfere with the closing of the lid when. thereproducer arm .22 is held in rest position on support 24.

The compartment 17 which occupies the left half of the carrying case,contains my new loudspeakingmechanism and preferably also some or all ofthe electric parts that constitute an amplifying transmission systembetween the electric reproducer and the loudspeaking mechanism. A topboard or cover plate 29 divides the compartment 17 into upper and lowerchambers. In the lower chamber are mounted one or morg batteries 30, oneor more audio-frequency transformers 31, one or more amplifying vacuumtubes 32, and other parts, such as condensers, rheostats,Potentiometers, etc., that may be necessary to complete any desired formof trans mission system. The cover 29 is hinged at 33 and rests onstrips 3 1 secured in compartment 17. A suitable latch 35 engages thefront edge of cover 29 to hold the same locked in closed position, and alinger piece 36 makes it easy to lift the cover for access to theelectrical parts beneath.

M new loudspeaking mechanism is indicate as a whole by L and in itspreferred form is constructed as follows, special reference being hadtothe enlarged view of Fig. 10. A pair of loudspea-king diaphragms 37and 38 are stretched on opposite sides of a flat rectangular frame F,which in the n'esent instance consists of a board or panel 39 carrying apair of tubular side pieces 4-0. These side pieces may conveniently beformed from sheet metal and secured to the board 39 by suitablefastening devices 41, which may be screws, bolts, rivets, or the like.If desired, the fianged end portions of the side pieces 40 maybe securedtogether at 41 to increase their rigidity. The diaphragmstW and 38 "aresecured to the side pieces 40 by resilient clamping strips 42 which areattached to the side pieces by screws 43 or otherwise. The clampingstrips 42- are preferably formed with roughened engaging surfaces 42adapted to grip the ends of the diaphragm against all possibility ofslipping. Any other practical means may be employed for securing thediaphragms 37 and 38 to the frame F. The diaphragms 37 and 38 are madeof elastic sheet material and are corrugated so as to be held underconstant tension of the requireddegree. In other words, the diaphragmsare stretched across the frame F with such taut ness that they vibrateproperly with substantially equal amplitude over their acousticsurfaces. This free vibration of the diaphragms is due to the fact thatthey are attached at two edges only, leaving the opposite edges 44 and45 free or floating.

In the broad aspect of my-invention, the two diaphragms 37 and 38 may beduplicates of each other and have substantially the same naturalfrequency. However, at the present time I prefer to construct thediaphragms so as to accentuate different bands of frequencies. That isto say, one diaphragm is adapted to operate most efficientsteel, iron,duralumin (an aluminum alloy),

copper, bronze, celluloid, paper, wood, parchment, and others along thesame line. The diaphragm 37', for. example, may be of elastic sheetmetal having a high natural frequency and capable of correctlyreproducing the higher notes of the piccolo and violin, and thediaphragm 38 may consist of a non-metallic sheet having a low naturalfrequency'and capable of reproducing the deepest organ tones. Theacoustic areaof the diaphragms is such that the resultant reproductionhas a volume equal to' (and in someinstances greater than) that givenout by large cabinet phonographs of prior construction.

The loudspeaking diaphragms 37 and 38 are operated by electromagneticdriving units mounted'on opposite'sides of the board 39. These drivingunits. which are indicated as awhole by M and M in Fig. 10, may be ofany practical construction. By way of example and not as a limitation, Ihave shown a driving unit consisting of a permanent magnet 46 having acoil or coils 47 mounted on pole pieces 48. As shown in Fig. 10, themagnets 46 of the driving units are mounted in alignment on oppositesides of the board 39. so that the same set of screws or bolts 49 holdboth magnets in position. The diaphragm 37 is provided with an armature50 adjacent the polar ends of the associated magnet. Similarly, theother diaphragm 38 has an armature 51 inoperative relation to the polepieces of its driving unit. If the diaphragms 37 and 38 are of Imagenetic-material, no separate armatures are necessary. Instead of having amagnetic connection between the 'diaphragms and their driving unit, theconstruction of the latter may be such as to require a mechanicalconnection between the diaphragms and the vibratory armature'of theunit. Such driving units are well known in the art and need not beillustrated. It will therefore be understood that the driving units Mand M shown in the drawings are to be regarded as broadly representingany practical form of mechanism forop'erating the dlaphra-gms inaccordance with current impulses generated by the electric reproducer ofthe machine. For convenience, I shallcall the windings 47 of unit M asthe controlling coil of diaphragm 37, and the windings 52 of unit M willbe referred to as the controlling coil of diaphragm 38.

"The board 39 of the loudspeaking mechanism is preferably solid so as toseparate the diaphragms 37 and 38 acoustically. These diaphragms form apair of shallow sound chambers 53 and 54, which are freely open to theouter air at the top and bottom. During the operation of the diaphragms,the air columns in sound chamber '53 and 54 are set in vibration,whereby the sound produced by the diaphragms is augmented in volume.Since the sound chambers 53 and 54 are separated by the board or panel39, there is no interference between the vibrations produced behind thediaphragms. The board 39, which is substantially free of vibration, maybe of light rigid metal, such as aluminum or aluminum alloy, or it maybe of nonmetallic material, such as wood, hard rubber, bakclite andsimilar materials adapted for this purpose.

The unitary loudspeaking mechanism 11 is hinged at 55 to a, stripoG-fastened along the rear edge of compartment 17, as shown in Fig. 2.The board 39 is connected at its upper end to the lid 12 by a chain orstrong cord 57. One end of this chain is attached at 58 to board 39, andthe other end of the chain is connected to a flat helical spring 59seoured to the inside of cover 12. The hinge 55 is formed with a bracket60, which acts as a stop for the board 39 when the same is in uprightposition, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The spring 59 renders the connection57 sufficiently elastic to prevent any undue strain at hinge 55. The lid12 is held in open position by one or more collapsible braces (31 ofusual construction. These braces, which act like toggles, hold the lidprop )ed open in such position that the loudspealting mechanism L isautomatically maintained in up right position when the lid is open. Asseen in Fig- 2, the open lid deflects forwardly the .sound waves thatstrike it from the rear dia- .57- and brace 60 to hold the loudspeakingmechanism in upright position, I may use a rigid collapsible brace like61, or any other practical arrangement. Upon closing the lid, themechanism L is automatically lowered into horizontal position, as shownin Fig. 1. When these parts are in closed position, the free edge ofboard 39 rests on a ledge 62 provided near the top of chamber 17. Thelid 12 has a strip 63 arranged to engage the front edge of board 39 whenthe parts are in closed position. in Fig. 2, where it will be seen thatthe loudspeaking mechanism, is held against movement bymeans of thestrips 62 and 63 lying on opposite sides of the board 39. The case maytherefore be transported without any danger of injury to theloudspeaking mech This is indicated in dotted lines than one inch, andmay even be less in small 'machines. We thus have a double diaphragmloudspeaker capable of giving tremendous volume andyet one that can beaccommodated in a carrying case of small'dimensions. In the broad viewof my invention, the loudspeaking mechanism need not be attached to thelid 12 for automatic raising and lowering by the movements of the lid.This mech-' anism may be mounted in any other practical way so as to lienormally within the casing and to be raised into-operative position.

In the modified construction of Figs. 69,'

the carrying case K consists of two box-like sections and 66 hingedtogether at 67 and forming when open two shallow compartmentsside-by-side. The section 66 contains the honographic mechanismindicated as a who e by and which may be the same as the mechanism incompartment 16 of Fig. 1. The section 65 contains the loudspeakermechanism L and the electric parts that constitute the amplifyingtransmission system between the electric reproducer and the loudspeakingdiaphragms. In the drawings I have shown a pair of vacuum tubes 68 andan amplifying transformer 69 mounted horizontally in chamber 70 ofsection 65. It will be understood that the parts 68 and 69 do not formthe complete transmission system, but are merely indicated by way ofexample to show how such parts are housed in the carrying case. Thechamber 7Q is closed by a cover plate 71 hinged at 72. What has beensaid about cover 'plate 29 in Figs. 1 and Qapplies fully to cover plate71 without the need of repetition. v

The loudspeaking mechanism L Figs. 6-9 is hinged at 73 to a strip 74 insection 65.

.A strip 75 forms a stop for the mechanism L.

when the same is raised in vertical position, as will be understood fromFig. 7 To hold the mechanism in upright position, the board 39 isprovided near its lower 'endwith a latchbar 76 pivoted at 77 and rovidedwith a forwardly projecting lug 8. On' one of the strips'79 that supportthe cover plate 71 is mounted a locking finger 80. After the mechanism Lhas been swung into upright position, the latch-bar 76 is turned downuntil the lug 78 engages the spring finger 80, as shown in Fig. 6,whereby the loudspeaking unit is securely locked in upright position.

A finger piece 81 near the free edge of board 39 permits the latter tobe readily grasped by the hand for manipulation. When the mechanism Llies flat in the case-section 65,. the

front edge of board 39 rests on a strip 82.

A latch 83 locks the board- 39 in lowered position, so that the boxsections 65 and 66 can injury to the loudspeaking mechanism. This willbe clear by looking at Fig. 8.

In order to accommodate a stack of records in the carrying case K, Iprovide the phonograph section 66 with strips 84'along the top. I havealready said that the loudspeaker section 65 has a strip 75 which formsa stop for the board 39. The stri 75 runs around the section 65 abouthal Ava between the cover plate 71 and'the top e ge of the section.lVhen the two sections 65 and 66 are closed, as shown in Fig. 8, thestrips 75 and 83 provide a space for receiving a tray or shallow box 85adapted to contain a held in position by and between the strips orflanges 75 and 83. The case Kis easily carried about by providing eachsection 65 and 66 with a handle 87. Suitable lopks 88 hold the closedsections locked. g

The carrying case K, when closed, is cubical in shape and in thatrespect it differs from the carrying case K-of Fig. 5. When the sections65 and 66, however, are in open posi-' tion, as shown in Fig. 6, themachine is flat like that in Figs. 1-3. In either construction we have acarrying case of comparatively small dimensions. To give an idea of thecompactness of my new machine, I may mention that the carrying case inFigs. 1-5 is deep and about five inches high. The Cubieal case of 69 isabout thirteen inches long, thirteen inches deep and eight or nineineheshigh. The diaphragms of the loudspeaking mechanism L in theembodiments illustrated are about ten inches high and eleven incheswide. These figures, of course, are given merely by way of illustrationand are not intended to operate as limitations of the invention. Thesize, shape and style of the carrying case may be so selected by thebuilder as to suit his particular taste, or what he thinks the publicwould like best.

Any practical system may be adopted for amplifying and transmitting theelectric impulses of the reproducer tothe operating or controllingcoils-of the diaphragms. A n ex-' illustrated in j Fig. 12 The operatingcoils 47 and 52ofthe loudspeaking mechanism are connected in parallel tothe secondary windin 89 of an audio-frequency transformer T. In thec'ircuit of coil 47 is a variable inductance'90, and in the'circuit ofcoil 52 is a variable inductance 91. These inductances are so adjustedin value as to cause the diaphragms 37 and- 38 to give the best acousticresults. It has been previously assumed that diaphragm 37 operates mostefiiciently on high notes, and diaphragm 38 is best on low notes. Inthat case the inductance value of the circuit of coil 52, which operatesthe low diaphragm 38, should preferably be greater than the induc tancevalue of the circuit of coil 47 which opcrates the high diaphragm 37 Therelative inductancevalues of the circuits of loudspeaker coils 47 and 52are adjusted by means of the variable inductance windings 90 and 91, aswill be clear. to thosewlio are familiar with this branch of electricalengineeriiig. The primary coil 92 oftransfornier T is connected in theplate circuit of an amplifying tube V, which is of usual construction,having a filament 93, agrid 94 and a plate electrode 95. The'platebattery 96 is connected in circuit in the usual way, and the filament 93is fed by a battery 97. Between the electric reproducer 21 and the grid94 of the vacuum tube is interposed a'transformer T having a primarywinding 98 and a secondary winding 99. One end of the secondary winding99 isconnected to the grid 94 and the other end is connected to aconductor 100, which is connected-to one side of the fila- 25 meiit 93.The primary winding 98 is in the circuit of reproducer coil 101, inwhich thestylus vibrations induce electric impulses.

Itwill be understood from the preced ng description of Fig. 12 that theelectric impulses in reproducer coil 101 are transmitted in greatlyamplified form to'the secondary winding 89 of transformer T, and these-amplified impulses pass through coils 47 and 52 for. operating theloudspeaking diae. I pliragms 37 and 38. Although I have shown I 5 In aportable self-contained machine, all

the parts of the amplifying system used are mountedin the case, but inthe broad aspect of my invention as embodied in a semi-portable orlarger household cabinet, the amplifying system connecting thereproducer to the driving unit of the loudspeaker may be partlycontained within the case or cabinet and partly outside thereof. Someamplifyi'ngsystems might be tooheavy for installation in portable 55plionographs, and it might therefore be more convenient to use aseparate amplifier, especially if the machine is in a home that has aradio set. The chambers 17 and 70 may be used for housing any suitableloudspeaking mechanism, with or without parts of an amplifying system,depending on the design and dimensions of the case.-

' Although I have shown and described cer tain constructions, I want itunderstood that my invention is not limited to the details set forth.The specific structures illustrated in the drawings are to be regardedmerely as practical examples of my invention, which may be embodied inother Ways thanhereiu described. The case or cabinet containing theparts that constitute the complete phonograph need not be of theportable type, but may be constructed as a piece of household furniture.Ihave shown portablecases merely to emphasize the fact that my inventionfinds spe cial utility in portable electric phonograplis, which areparticularly desirable by people living in city apartment houses wherethe rooms are usually small. My new invention may also be constructed asa so-called table machine, which is not intended to be transported likea piece of hand luggage, but which is placed on a table for playing andmay easily be carried about the house from one room to the other.

My new double diaphragm loudspeaker unit may obviously be used for radioreproduction, and in other connections where loudspeaking reproductionis desired. On account of an oiiicial requirement of division, I donotli'erein make any claims to the loudspeaker unit per se, whichformsthe subject matter of at least one divisional application.

I claim as my invention:

1. A portable electricphonograph conipris- 9 ing a carrying caseconstructed of twoshallow box-like sections arranged to provide twocompartments side by side, phonographic mechanism in the compartment ofone section, said mechanism including an electric reproducer, a flatframe pivotally mounted on the other section of the case so as to swingii to upright position, a loudspeaking diaphragm and a driving unittherefor mounted on said frame, electric transmission apparatus in thecompartment of said other section and operatively' connected to saidreproducer and drivingxunit, releasable means on said case for rigidlyholding said frame in raised position during the operation of saiddiaphragm, said frame and the parts carried thereby being ad- Justableinto horizontal position in said other section to permit closing of thecarrying case, andmeans for closing said box-like sections to form acompletely closed case.

2. A portable electric phonograph comprisng a substantially rectangularcarrying case having a transverse partition to provide two box-likesections side by side, a lid hinged to said case to cover both sectionsand thereby form a completely closed carrying case, phonographicmechanism in one of said sections. said mechanism including an electricrepro ducer, a frame pivoted to the other section so as to be moved intoupright and horizontal position, a loudspeaking diaphragm and a drivingunit therefor mounted on said frame, electric transmission apparatus insaid other section for operatively connecting said reproducer with saiddriving unit, and means whereby said lid when open holds said frameprovide two compartments side by 'side,

phonographic mechanism in the compartment of one section, said mechanismincluding an electric reproducer, a movable cover mounted on the othersection to close the compartment thereof, electric apparatus mounted inthe last-named compartment, a flat frame pivoted to said other sectionabove said movable cover, a tensioned loudspeaking diaphragm sheetstretched on said frame, a driving unit for said diaphragm also mountedon said frame, means on said other sectiomadapted to engage said frameand normally hold the same within said section parallel to said cover,said frame and the arts carried thereby be- -ing movableinto 'sustantially upright position for operation of the diaphragm, means for soconnecting said apparatus that the electric impulses of said reproducerare amplified. and transmitted to said driving unit,

releasable means on. said case for rigidly holding said frame in raisedposition during the operation of said diaphragm, means whereby ,saidbox-like sections are closable to form a completely closed case, andmeans for supporting a stack ofrecords in the closed case, said recordsbeing automatically rendcred accessible when the case is opened.

4. A self-contained portable electric phonograph comprising asubstantially rectangular carrying case havin a transverse parti tion toprovide two flat ox-like' sections side by side, a lid hinged to saidcase to coverbothv sections and thereby form a completely closedcarrying case, phonographic mechanism in one of said sections, saidmechanism including an electric reproducer, a cover hinged to the othersection below the top edge thereofto form a normally closed compartment,electric apparatus mounted in said compartment,

a flat frame pivoted to said other section above said cover, aloudspeaking diaphragm and a driving unit therefor mounted on saidframe, said diaphragm consisting of a tensioned sheet stretched acrosssaid frame, means for so connecting said apparatus that the electricimpulses of said reproducer are transmitted to-said driving unit, saidframe and the parts carried thereby being movable into substantiallyupright position for operation of the diaphragm and movable intohorizontal osition closely above said cover to permit c osin of the lid,means whereby said frame is hel against movement when the lid is closed,and means on said lid for supporting astack of records above the motor--board in the phonograph section of the case.

' 5. A hornless electric phonograph comprising a cabinet having a lid,lo'udspeaking mechanism supported in said cabinet independently of saidlid, said mechanism being a flat unit having a pair of diaphra msconstructed to accentuate different ban s of frequencies so as to coverpractically the whole range of musical sound, means carried by saidcasing for adjustably supporting'said flat unit to permit closing of thelid, and electric reproducing means for simultaneously operating saiddiaphragms.

6. A portable. electric phonograph comprising a carrying case providedwith'a hinged cover, a frame pivoted to said case and normally lyingflat therein to permit closing of the cover. said frame being movableinto substantially u right position, a

pair of loudspeaking diap ragms carried by said frame, electricreproducing mechanism for operating said diaphragms, and means connectedto said cover for holding said frame in upright position during theoperation of the diaphragms.

7. ,An electric phonograph comprising a case having a top lid hingedthereon, a frame pivoted to said case independentl of said lid andnormally lying flat in sai case beneath the lid, a loudspeakingdiaphragm carried by said frame, means for automatically raising saidframe into substantially upright position when the lid is opened andholding the frame in such position, said frame automatically moving intohorizontal position when the lid is closed, and electric reproducingmechanism for operating said diaphragm.

8. An electric phonograph comprising a case having a top lid hingedthereon, a frame pivoted to said case independentl of said lid andnormally 1 ing flat in sai case beneath the lid, a lou speakingdiaphragm car- .ried by said frame, a collapsible connection betweensaid frame and said lid for automatically raising the frame intosubstantially upright position when the lid is opened, said connectionpermittin the frame and the lid to swing down on their respective pivotsinto horizontal position, and electric reproducing mechanism foroperating said diaphragm.

' 9. A portable electric phonograph com rising a carrying case havingtwo shallow 0xlike sections arranged side by side, phonographicmechanism in one section, said mechanism including an electricreproducer, electric loudspeaking mechanism in the other sectionoperative'ly connected to said reprographic mechanism in one section,said mechanism including an electric reproducer, electric loudspeakingmechanism in the other section operatively connected to said reproducer,

means for closing said box-like sections; to form a completely closedcase, said loudspeaker mechanism being a flat hornless structure with adirect-acting diaphragm and arranged to permit closing of the case, andmeans in one of said sections for supporting a stack of records Withoutinterfering With'the closing of the case.

11. A portable electric phonograph comprising a substantiallyrectangular carrying case-having a transverse partition to provide twobox-like sections side by side, a lid hinged to said case to cover bothsections and thereby form a completely closed carrying case,phonograph-1c mechanism in one of said sections, said mechamsmlncluding'an electric reproducer, a frame pivoted to the other sectionso as to be moved into upright and horizontal position, a loudspeakingdiaphragm and a driving unit therefor mounted on said frame, electrictransmission apparatus in said other sectionfor operatively connectingsaid reproducer Withsaid driving unit, and releasable means for bracingsaid frame in upright position in front of the open lidduring theoperation of said diaphragm, said lid acting as a deflector of soundproduced by said diaphragm, said frame and the parts carried therebybeing movable into horizontal position in the case to permit closing ofthe lid.

12. A self-contained "portable electric phonograph comprising a pair offlat box-like sections hinged together transversely so as to foldagainst each other to form a closed carrying case, phonographicmechanism in one section, said mechanism including an electricreproducer, loudspeaking mechanism in the other section, means fortransmitting the electric impulses of said reproducer to saidloudspeaking mechanism, said phonographic mechanism and lou dspeakingmechanism being so arranged as to leave a shallow space or chamber'between them'when the sections are closed, and means for sppporting arecordholding tray or box in said shallow chamber.

ADOLPH A. THOMAS.

